What happens when a small village is tasked with housing a train load of pregnant women from London?

This is a delightful historical fiction book about women during the early days of World War II. Each of the evacuees have strong feelings about their move. Most did not want to leave their homes and families behind. Some have husbands who are going to be going off to war soon. Marianne is hiding the fact that she doesn’t have a husband.

The women assigned to house the evacuees have their own problems that an adult house guest is going to expose. They also are sure that they aren’t going to like these women with their big city ways that are so unlike how women are supposed to behave.

This book captured the feeling of that time and place. England is just getting into World War II and tensions are high. The story is told from the point of view of several of the women – both evacuees and hostesses. The author did a good job of giving them each distinct voices and stories.

There are a few plot lines that didn’t entirely resolve so I’m looking forward to reading a sequel.

The second world war has just started and children and pregnant mothers are being evacuated from London to the country. There has been a mix up and the village of Great Plumstead get the women instead of the children they were expecting. As it was law to offer a spare room to an evacuee or face a fine or prison a few feathers were ruffled when the villagers were forced to share a homes and their kitchens with a stranger.

A beautiful story told from both the hostess and evacuees point of view. It must have been hard to be in either position but the community spirit was with them. I enjoy historical fiction set around the wars and this was another brilliantly written one. I love the bonds they formed and friendships forged and how they eventually worked together and accepted the situation. Brilliant, loved it.

September 1939 and war is on the brink, Expectant mother Marianne Archer from the East End of London has been evacuated to Norfolk but on arrival find that they are not expecting her and other mothers they though it was only going to be children and teachers, but behold they were all here to stay for as long as the war takes to win. she is going to be staying at Rookery house a big five bedroom farmhouse in Great plumstead that is owned by Thea Thornton she will be glad to see the Back of London with her baby due in late January she will be safe here with her secrets. Marianne is a seamstress and a talented dress maker and soon gets customers in the village that gives her the money to pay for her keep always something to do here for all the expectant mothers as well as a day club. as we travel through this book the characters grow on you I loved reading Mariannes story such more heart warming chapters that will pull at your heart strings. Wonderful from this author as with all her other books, with a well known character added from east end angels that added the finishing touch.

I have loved reading the story of the evacuation of children and expectant mothers from london to the safety of the countryside.Marianne Archer is one of the expectant women and is looking forward to leaving and to making a fresh start.The residents of Great Plumstead in Norfolk are waiting to greet the children they have agreed to take in but when the train arrives there is confusion and it seems that the villagers are to take in expectant mothers and their children.This book is beautifully written and the author draws you into the story and it is a wonderful journey with ups and downs.I highly recommend this book as it's a wonderful book.Thank you to Rosie Hendry for writing this 5* book.